quakerninja

Ok Thought I would share a quick technique for coloring in adobe illustrator, this works in cs4, and cs5.
(There is a work around for later versions but I didn't cover it here.)

There are three basic methods for coloring art in illustrator that I use.
1.Paint under the linework on a sperate layer.
2.Paintbucket tool
3.Use the pathfinder/ merge button to cut a solid into pieces with gapless line work, then shift select and color.

There is a demonstration of the merge technique.

I would be happy to answer any questions you have about this.



Almost instant pattern brush goodness.

step 1: make some gapless line work in illy with the artistic, calligraphic brushes set to pressure, double tap for setting feel me. + use the blob brush yo.

Step 2: pathfinder merge that stuff.

Step 3. put down a rectangle of solid white color under the lines, merge again. ungroup, and delete your extras.

Step 4. pick your black (y) for magic wand, and lock it down command number2

Step 5. use shift click to select the pieces you want to color and with them still selected change the color from the pulldown at the top or the swatches yo.

Step 6. unlock it all and group it.

Step 7. additive liberty live reflect x and live reflect y make a few copies

Step 8. (e) eraser tool hold option for a straight cut, trim to youre liking.

Step 9 object/ expand appearance.

Step 10. make it a square using the width and length box at the top, its ok if it gets skewed a little just round to the nearest whatever make it a square mmmkay

Step 12 reduce opacity and change to multiply, copy and flip it 90 degrees, use align to selected objects and center it.

Step 13 Drag and drop it in your swatches panel

Step 14 pick your blob brush and from the pull down where the stroke is, pick your new pattern

Step 15 doodle and enjoy. cheers.